2016 Acura MDX towing

Contents
This owner’s manual should be considered a permanent part of the
vehicle and should remain with the vehicle when it is sold.
This owner’s manual covers all models of your vehicle. You may find
descriptions of equipment and features that are not on your
particular model.
Images throughout this owner’s manu al (including the front cover)
represent features and equipment that are available on some, but
not all, models. Your particular mo del may not have some of these
features.
This owner’s manual is for vehicles sold in the United States and
Canada.
The information and specifications in cluded in this publication were
in effect at the time of approval for printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
reserves the right, however, to discontinue or change specifications
or design at any time without notice and without incurring any
obligation.2 Safe Driving P. 27
For Safe Driving P. 28 Seat Belts P. 33 Airbags P. 41
2Instrument Panel P. 71
Indicators P. 72 Gauges and Multi-Information Display (MID) P. 110
2Controls P. 127
Clock P. 128 Locking and Unlocking the Doors P. 129
Opening and Closing the Moonroof P. 154
Adjusting the Seats P. 175
2 Features P. 213
Audio System P. 214 Audio System Basic Operation P. 218
Customized Features P. 263 HomeLink® Universal Transceiver P. 282
2 Driving P. 321
Before Driving P. 322 Towing a Trailer P. 327
Parking Your Vehicle P. 425Multi-View Rear Camera* P. 434
2Maintenance P. 439
Before Performing Maintenance P. 440 Maintenance MinderTM P. 443
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 465
Remote Control and Wireless Headphone Care
* P. 482
2 Handling the Unexpected P. 491
Tools P. 492 If a Tire Goes Flat P. 493
Indicator, Coming On/Blinking P. 519 Fuses P. 523
When You Cannot Open the Tailgate P. 533
2 Information P. 535
Specifications P. 536 Identification Numbers P. 538
Emissions Testing P. 541 Warranty Coverages P. 543
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Contents
Child Safety P. 56Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 68Safety Labels P. 69
Opening and Closing the Tailgate P. 142 Security System P. 149 Opening and Closing the Windows P. 152
Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel P. 155 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 172
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience It ems P. 186 Climate Control System P. 200
Audio Error Messages P. 254General Information on the Audio System P. 259
Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink ® P. 284 Compass* P. 318
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines P. 338 When Driving P. 340 Braking P. 412
Refueling P. 435 Fuel Economy P. 437Accessories and Modifications P. 438
Maintenance Under the Hood P. 447 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 459
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 469 Battery P. 478 Remote Transmitter Care P. 480
Climate Control System Maintenance P. 484 Cleaning P. 485
Engine Does Not Start P. 512Jump Starting P. 515Overheating P. 517
Emergency Towing P. 531 When You Cannot Unlock the Fuel Fill Door P. 532
Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 539 Reporting Safety Defects P. 540
Authorized Manuals P. 545 Client Service Information P. 546
Quick Reference GuideP. 4
Safe DrivingP. 27
Instrument PanelP. 71
ControlsP. 127
FeaturesP. 213
DrivingP. 321
MaintenanceP. 439
Handling the UnexpectedP. 491
InformationP. 535
IndexP. 547
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22
Quick Reference Guide
Handling the Unexpected (P491)
Flat Tire (P493)
● Park in a safe location and repair the flat
tire using the tire repair kit.
● Park in a safe location and replace the
flat tire with the compact spare tire
located under the cargo area.
Indicators Come On (P519)
● Identify the indicator and consult the
owner’s manual.
Vehicles with tire repair kit
Vehicles with compact spare tire
Engine Won’t Start (P512)
● If the battery is dead, jump start using a
booster battery.
Blown Fuse (P523)
● Check for a blown fuse if an electrical
device does not operate.
Overheating (P517)
● Park in a safe location. If you do not see
steam under the hood, open the hood,
and let the engine cool down.
Emergency Towing (P531)
● Call a professional towing service if you
need to tow your vehicle.
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75
uuIndicators u
Continued
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage
Transmission
Indicator
●The indicated current gear
selection blinks if there is a
problem with the transmission
system.●Avoid sudden start and acceleration, and stop
in a safe place immediately.
Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
●All the gear positions may light
for several seconds, and go off.●When all the gear positions light, immediately
stop your vehicle in a safe place.
●Indicators go off if there is no problem.
However, even if they go off, take your vehicle
to a dealer for inspection.
●The indicated current gear
selection or all the gear positions
blink if there is a problem with
the transmission system, and the
vehicle no longer moves.●Immediately stop in a safe place.
2Emergency Towing P. 531●Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
●The indicated current gear
selection or all the gear positions
blink if you cannot select
(P due
to the transmission system
failure.
●The engine can be activated as a temporary
measure.
2 If the Transmission Indicator Blinks along
with the Warning Message P. 522
●Set the parking brake when parking.●Have your vehicle checked by a dealer
immediately.
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321
Driving
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Before Driving................................... 322
Towing a Trailer ................................ 327
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines ..... 338
When Driving Starting the Engine .......................... 340
Automatic Transmission ................... 346
Shifting ............................................ 347
Auto Idle Stop
*................................ 355
Integrated Dynamics System (IDS)..... 359
Cruise Control
*................................ 360
Front Sensor Camera*...................... 363Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low
Speed Follow (LSF)*............................ 365Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with Pedestrian Detection*.................... 379 Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
*..... 385Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
System*..................................... 389Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)*.. 394Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®), aka Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), System ............. 402
Agile Handling Assist System............ 404
Blind Spot Information (BSI) System*... 405
Super Handling-All Wheel DriveTM (SH-
AWD® )*......................................... 407Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ... 408Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) -
Required Federal Explanation ......... 410
Braking Brake System ................................... 412 Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 414
Brake Assist System ......................... 415
Collision Mitigation Braking System
TM
(CMBSTM)*..................................... 416
Parking Your Vehicle When Stopped ................................ 425
Parking Sensor System
*................... 426
Cross Traffic Monitor*..................... 430
Multi-View Rear Camera*................ 434
Refueling Fuel Information .............................. 435
How to Refuel ................................. 436
Fuel Economy .................................... 437
Accessories and Modifications ........ 438
* Not available on all models
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325
uuBefore Driving uMaximum Load Limit
Continued
Driving
Maximum Load Limit
The maximum load for your ve hicle is 1,173 lbs (532 kg).
See Tire and Loading Information label attached to the driver’s doorjamb.
This figure includes the total weig ht of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if you are towing a trailer.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit -
(1) Locate the statement “The comb ined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your
vehicle’s placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers
that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers
from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb. passengers in
your vehicle, the am ount of available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 650 lbs.
(1,400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)1 Maximum Load Limit
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all a ccessories, all cargo, and the tongue
load. 2 Specifications P. 536
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle axle. 2 Specifications P. 536
3WARNING
Overloading or improper loading
can affect handling and stability
and cause a crash in which you
can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this manual.Label Example
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326
uuBefore Driving uMaximum Load Limit
Driving
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That we ight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a tra iler, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicl e. Consult this manual to
determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
In addition, the total weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
accessories, cargo, and trailer tongue load must not exceed the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVW R) or the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). Both are on a label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Load Limits Example
Example1
Max Load 1,173 lbs (532 kg) Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs (68 kg x 2 = 136 kg) Cargo Weight
873 lbs
(396 kg)
Example2 Max Load 1,173 lbs (532 kg) Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs (68 kg x 5 = 340 kg) Cargo Weight
423 lbs
(192 kg)
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327Continued
Driving
Towing a Trailer
Towing Preparation
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if you carefully observe the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the towing guidelin es. Check the load limits before driving.
■Total trailer weight
Do not exceed the maximum allowable
weight of the trailer, cargo, and everything in
or on it shown in the table.
Towing loads in excess of this can seriously
affect vehicle handling and performance and
can damage the engine and drivetrain.
*1:Accessory Front Towing Grille required whenever towing.
Each weight limit is calculated based on the following conditions:
• Occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back
• Each occupant weights 150 lbs (68 kg)
• Each occupant has 15 lbs (7 kg) of cargo in the cargo area
Any additional weight, cargo or accessories reduce the maximum trailer weight and
maximum tongue load.
■Towing Load Limits1 Towing Load Limits
Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale.
If a public scale is not available, add the estimated
weight of your cargo load to the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the manufacturer), and then
measure the tongue load with an appropriate scale or
tongue gauge or estima te it based on cargo
distribution.
Refer to the trailer owner’s manual for additional
information.
Break-in Period
Avoid towing a trailer duri ng your vehicle’s first 600
miles (1,000 km).
Never exceed the gross weight ratings.
Gross weight information 2 Vehicle Specifications P. 536
3WARNING
Exceeding any load limit or improperly
loading your vehicle and trailer can cause a
crash in which you can be seriously hurt or
killed.
Check the loading of your vehicle and
trailer carefully before starting to drive.
Total Load
Number of
occupants4WD models with ATF cooler*14WD models
without ATF cooler*12WD models*1
25,000 lbs (2,268 kg)3,500 lbs (1,588 kg)3,500 lbs (1,588 kg)
34,750 lbs (2,155 kg)3,250 lbs (1,474 kg)3,250 lbs (1,474 kg)
44,500 lbs (2,041 kg)3,000 lbs (1,361 kg)3,000 lbs (1,361 kg)
54,250 lbs (1,928 kg)2,750 lbs (1,247 kg)2,750 lbs (1,247 kg)
64,000 lbs (1,814 kg)2,500 lbs (1,134 kg)2,500 lbs (1,134 kg)
7Towing not recommended
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